The top chef(s)

Three Camdenton high school students are gearing up to head to the National Prostart Culinary competition in Minneapolis next month. After placing first in the state competition, the three-person, all-female team from Lake Career and technical Center is ready for their next step.

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The Lake News Online

Posted Apr. 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM

Posted Apr. 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM

Camdenton

Three Camdenton high school students are gearing up to head to the National Prostart Culinary competition in Minneapolis next month. After placing first in the state competition, the three-person, all-female team from Lake Career and technical Center is ready for their next step.

"We've been preparing since October. We experiment with different recipes," Junior Arizbeth Jimenez said.

After receiving specific instructions about a week prior to competition, the team practiced after school and prepared what items they could before hand.

"The entire competition is maybe an hour or an hour and a half long," Senior Phelan Huntsman said. "We have to make a three course meal in 60 minutes with no electricity or running water."

The team said they had an idea that they had placed during the state competition but was still in shock when their name was said aloud as the first place winners.

The team members fondly recall gathering with the rest of the participants and supporters in front of the judges and contest directors.

"When he was announcing it, I swear he took a ten minute pause before he said who the winner was," Huntsman recalled. "He said 'Lake' and then paused. All of a sudden you hear all of our row gasps. Everyone was laughing or crying hysterically."

Junior Taylor Searcy also on the team said she and her parents began crying when they were announced as the winners. Huntsman on the other hand was in shock and had to be reminded by her mother that she needed to go with the team to get their awards.

This week the team has been preparing to host a meal at Old Kinderhook to help buy supplies and resources for the national competition. A sold-out crowd wAS able to enjoy the award winning three course meal on Thursday night.

The team will be on their way with Chef Jacqueline Wilson to Minneapolis on May 3.